EDITORIALS: Party time?

Two years ago, a sign unclaimed by any candidate appeared outside the polls at Hyannis West Elementary School.

Edward F. Maroney

Two years ago, a sign unclaimed by any candidate appeared outside the polls at Hyannis West Elementary School. It read: “Support John Klimm. Change the Council.”

That’s what happened, as three of the incumbents up for election who had backed the buyout of the town manager’s contract – Jim Crocker, Hank Farnham, and Jim Munafo – lost their seats. The fourth, Ann Canedy, held off a strong challenge in her precinct.

The council changed again this week, as two staunch supporters of Klimm, June Daley and Tom Rugo, lost their seats. Phil Wallace, a political newcomer encouraged to run and strongly supported by Farnham, defeated Daley. Eric Steinhilber squeaked past Rugo by fewer than 10 votes.

Jim Crocker, bounced out of office in 2011 over apparent dismay at his aggressive campaign to buy out the former town manager’s contract, bounced back in a relatively close race.

As another Klimm stalwart, Janet Joakim, prepared to step down, the candidate she hoped would succeed her, Deb Converse, lost to Will Crocker. Both Will Crocker and Steinhilber had strong support from the town’s Republican committee; Joakim has been active with the Democratic committee.

In some ways, the election put one in mind of the time when NBC was divided into two services: the Red Network and the Blue Network. Republican and Democratic networks exist in town and influence even non-partisan elections for town council. They turn out campaign workers and poll watchers, and offer ready sources of contributions

Here’s a breakdown of party affiliations on the new council, drawn from registration lists several months ago:

This is not to say that a vote for council president would go along party lines, but it’s evident that a return to the old 7-6 split is not out of the question. That could lead to a fractious council or, one hopes, one in which diversity of opinion is respected. Current President Debra Dagwan guided her colleagues on that path, and there’s hope that the new council can stay on it.

For proof, look no further than this week’s Marstons Mills Village Association meeting, Jan Barton’s last as a town councilor. After she gave her report, it was Norman’s turn.

“She taught me a lot about her passion for the homeless,” Norman said of Barton, noting that they often disagreed on issues. “She’s someone who has constantly worked for her constituents.”

If the Democrats and Republicans and independents on the next Barnstable Town Council can respect and learn from each other like that, they’ll set a fine example for their inferiors in Washington, D.C.